Simon B. Rhymin' Takes a Stand
#2 of 2 in Simon B. Rhymin' Series
on Goodreads (46)
What’s inside...
This humorous and heartwarming sequel to Simon B. Rhymin', by America's favorite rapping teacher from Chicago, follows young rapper Simon and his friends as they navigate the inequality and injustice within their school and community. Faced with the lack of funding at Booker T. Washington School, the group starts a petition to showcase their need for equal opportunities. However, when the school board hears of their efforts, Simon must confront his fears and use his rhymes to make a stand and prove that they can make a difference in their neighborhood.
Discussion points
How did Simon use his voice to make a difference in his community?
What are some ways you can help your friends or neighbors just like Simon?
Simon faces challenges but also finds courage. Can you think of a time when you had to be brave?
How do you think the community changed because of Simon’s actions?
What did you learn about teamwork from the characters in the book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to reflect on their own experiences with helping others and relate them to Simon’s actions in the story.
Discuss the importance of community and how each person’s actions can create positive change, just like Simon’s.
Use examples from the book to illustrate the values of courage and persistence in overcoming obstacles.
Highlight the teamwork aspect and ask your child about times they had to work with others to achieve a goal.
Praise your child's insights and link them back to the book to reinforce understanding of the themes.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Standing up for what's right
Explanation: Simon and his friends take initiative to make changes in their school, demonstrating the importance of standing up for justice and equality.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to voice their concerns and take actions towards fairness in their own communities, like organizing a school event or participating in community service.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and collaboration
Explanation: Throughout the story, Simon learns the value of working together with others to achieve common goals, showing that teamwork can lead to success.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this lesson by engaging in group projects at school or joining a sports team, learning to cooperate and achieve together.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: Simon shows empathy by listening to his classmates' stories and understanding their diverse backgrounds.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to listen actively to their peers and try to understand different perspectives, enhancing social harmony.
Example Lesson: Creativity and expression
Explanation: Simon uses his rap skills to express his thoughts and feelings, highlighting the power of creative expression.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to explore and express themselves through art, music, writing, or any other form of creativity to convey their emotions and ideas.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: Simon encounters challenges but learns to overcome them with perseverance, teaching children the importance of resilience.
Real-World Application: This can inspire kids to persist through difficulties in their studies, hobbies, or personal goals, understanding that challenges can be overcome with effort and determination.